In this episode of Industrial Edge, host Lacey Chandler is joined by Eva Rydholt of OK International at the 2024 Almond Board Conference. With over 40 years of industry experience, OK International specializes in end-of-line packaging automation, helping businesses across the food, medical, and industrial sectors scale their operations.

Eva shares the inspiring story of how the company started in a garage in 1982 and evolved into a global force in packaging technology. We dive into the mechanics of automated case erectors and bag sealers, discussing how these machines eliminate production bottlenecks and drastically reduce labor costs.

Key Topics Covered:

• The OK International Story: From building bag sealers in a garage in 1982 to becoming an industry leader 01:13 
• What is a Bag Sealer? A look at the technology behind heat-sealing everything from potato chips to medical supplies 02:43 
• The Full Packaging Line: How case erectors, liners, fillers, and tapers work together to turn flat cardboard into a finished product ready for shipment 04:10 
• Automation vs. Manual Labor: Can humans keep up with 15+ cases per minute? We discuss why manual packaging is a major production bottleneck 07:08 
• The ROI of Packaging Equipment: Why automation typically pays for itself within a couple of years through health insurance savings and 24/7 reliability 12:46 
• Eva’s Personal Touch: Meet Bentley (the Golden Doodle) and the dream of the “real” Bentley 09:05 

Connect with OK International: Explore high-performance packaging solutions at okcorp.com and oksealer.com.

Find us at Chandler Automation: For integrated automation solutions, visit chandler-automation.com.

#IndustrialEdge #PackagingAutomation #OKInternational #FactoryAutomation #AlmondIndustry #EndofLinePackaging #CaseErectors #BagSealers #AgTech #ChandlerAutomation

Video Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Industrial Edge 

01:13 Introducing Eva Rydholt & OK International 

02:04 From Garage Startup to Industry Leader 

02:43 What is a Bag Sealer? 

04:10 Understanding the Full Packaging Line (Erectors, Liners, Fillers) 

05:32 Reducing Labor Requirements in Packaging 

07:08 Speed and Efficiency: 15+ Cases Per Minute 

08:38 Growth in the Nut Industry with Chandler Automation 

09:05 Personal Interlude: Bentley the Golden Doodle 

11:34 Manual vs. Automated Packaging Bottlenecks 

12:46 ROI and the Economics of Automation 

13:45 The Future of Robotics and Technology Trends 

14:22 Where to Connect with OK International 

15:05 Closing Remarks